| Mandarin Ratsnake | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Euprephiophis |
| Species: | E. mandarinus |
| Binomial name | |
| Eprephiophis mandarinus |
|
The Mandarin Rat Snake, Elaphe mandarina, is a species of snake found in Asia. It is a relatively small rat snake; adult size is 1 m (40 in.) or less. It is closely related to Elaphe conspicillata, the Japanese Forest Rat Snake.
Contents |
India, N. Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Taiwan, S China (westward to SE Xizang = Tibet and northward to Shaanxi; Chekiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Kweichow, Sichuan; south to Wei He and Han Shui rivers, Beijing)
Type locality: China: Zhejiang, Chusan island (Cantor, 1842)
In recent years there has been some taxonomic controversy over the genera of rat snakes. Based on mitochondrial DNA, Utiger et al. (2002) argued for a splintering of the genus Elaphe and suggested a reworking of the genera.[1]
However, all published taxonomy remains a taxonomic suggestion until ruled on by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN - http://www.iczn.org/), but the body has so far not supported the change and has not addressed the taxonomic suggestion, thus the official taxonomy remains Elaphe.
The Mandarin Rat Snake is a secretive species, often using rodent burrows for shelter. It feeds primarily on small rodents, prefers cooler temperatures, and is predominately crepuscular. It occurs from sea level to at least 3,000m.
